Norman’s McKinzi Maddocks
By Elizabeth Contreras
Already primed and ready to play college softball in Hutchinson, Kansas, senior McKinzi Maddocks is closing out her final season at Norman High School with determination, gratitude, and big goals for the future.
Maddocks began playing softball in the 8th grade and has since developed into a dependable middle infielder for the Tigers. She says her success wouldn’t be possible without her family, who she describes as her biggest influences.
“They’ve fed into me so many valuable things that I carry with me not only on the field but in life as well,” Maddocks says.
Playing for Norman High School has given Maddocks not only time on the field but also lessons in adaptability, perseverance, and friendships that will last a lifetime.
“I’ve met so many different people and still have friendships with some that have graduated, she reflects. “All because of school ball.”
While her family and friends have laid the foundation, it is her own love for the grind of softball that drives her.
“I love the work aspect of softball. Spending time working and pushing to get better is what keeps me coming back,” she explains. Every game now is in preparation for her future plans in Hutchinson, working and stiving toward something bigger. “I’m working for what’s to come at the next level and for my college coaches,” she continues.
Throughout her student-athlete career, Maddocks has overcome her fair share of challenges and adversity.
“I’ve faced a lot of adversity which is all just learning experiences,” she says. “It’s learning from what happened and applying it moving forward.” She uses each challenge as an opportunity for improvement, applying every lesson to the next play.
For Maddocks, softball is a game of failure and aiming for perfection isn’t realistic.
“You won’t make every play or get a hit every at bat,” she explains. “Softball is a game of failure—it’s not about being perfect, it’s about the response.”
That perspective has allowed Maddocks to embrace mistakes, treating them as opportunities for growth and focusing on stepping up to the plate stronger each time.
“I want to grow more and more,” she says. “Not only on the field but also off the field.”
Maddocks’ goal for this season is just to continue pushing through. “My goal is just getting through this last school ball season because I know I’m working for something bigger, which is college,” she adds. “Pushing myself and getting that 1% better every day is how I’m working toward that.”
As she prepares for college in Hutchinson, Kansas, Maddocks is grateful to continue playing softball. “I’m getting the opportunity to go play college softball,” she says. And when her playing days are over, she plans to take on her next challenge of becoming a firefighter.
With the same grit she’s shown on the diamond, McKinzi Maddocks is ready to swing for whatever comes next.
